This year’s conference includes special events, such as preconference medical center tours, exhibit receptions and our annual wellness walk.

Preconference Facility Tours
Receptions
8th Annual Wellness Walk

Preconference Facility Tours

Don't miss this unique opportunity for a private tour of one of the nation's most respected medical centers: Mayo Clinic or the University of Minnesota Health.

Tour Capacity Limitations: Due to limited space, Mayo Clinic and UMN Health reserve the right to restrict tour attendance to conference participants who manage patients or their benefits. Others, including medical center staff, will be placed on a waitlist and notified as space becomes available.

Travel Considerations: Roundtrip shuttle transportation will be provided between the Marriott City Center and medical center. When making travel arrangements, take into consideration the start time of the tour. A limited number of hotel rooms are available Sunday for out-of-town registrants. Click here for hotel information and to book your reservation.

Tour Registration: Sign up during conference registration for one of these tours. If you've already registered but did not sign up for a tour, you may do so by clicking on one of the tour registration links below.

Mayo Clinic

When: Monday, Sept. 28
Time: 6:15 a.m.–Check in at the Marriott Street Level Lobby;  6:30 a.m.–Depart Marriott (New depart time!); 4:30 p.m.–Return to Marriott
>Mayo Clinic Tour Registration

Experience a day at Mayo Clinic where you will hear about Mayo Clinic’s visionary approach to quality health care. Mayo physicians will discuss Mayo’s innovations in transplant and cancer care, including their new Proton Beam Therapy Center. You will receive a behind-the-scenes look at how Mayo Clinic teams provide expert, whole-person care for everyone who needs healing. While you enjoy lunch, Dr. Amit Sood, Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program Research Director, will discuss his innovative approach to stress management and resiliency. Later, the tour will continue with visits to some of the well-known spots on campus, as well as the Gift of Life Transplant House where you will learn about how they are working to make transplant care less stressful for patients.

Due to the structure of this tour, all participants are required to take the shuttle transportation provided by Mayo Clinic.

This tour is provided by Mayo Clinic.

University of Minnesota Health

When: Monday, Sept. 28
Time: 12:15 p.m.–Check in at the Marriott Street Level Lobby; 12:30 p.m.–Depart Marriott; 3:30 p.m.–Return to Marriott
Capacity: 20 participants — Sign up early; space is limited!
>UMN Health Tour Registration

University of Minnesota Health, which includes University of Minnesota Medical Center (UMMC) and University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital (UMMCH), has been a pioneer in transplant medicine for over 50 years. Their physicians have led innovation, research and education for transplant providers worldwide. The Solid Organ Transplant Program team transplants over 600 adult and pediatric patients collectively each year and the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program physicians transplant approximately 300, making University of Minnesota Health a market leader in transplant services.

The tour starts with the Masonic Children’s Hospital, known for its innovative care for children with common to complex conditions. Their physician researchers are leaders in academic medicine, developing the next generation of best treatments for children at their family- and patient-centered facility. You will tour their state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit and pediatric specialty Journey Clinic.

The next stop on your tour will be a preview of the new University of Minnesota Clinics and Surgery Center (CSC) — a 342,000-square-foot, five-story structure opening in February 2016. The new CSC will be a welcoming place where patients will access innovative care processes, world-renowned specialists, and the latest treatments and technology. You will have the opportunity to see how the power of academic medicine is changing the face of health care now and in the future.

Your last stop will be at the UMMC Adult Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit where exceptional protocol-driven care is delivered through translational, research and standard-of-care protocols. You will learn about the unit design and what they are doing to promote an exceptional patient care experience, as well as hear about the variety of cellular-based therapies used to treat allogeneic and autologous patients.

This tour is provided by University of Minnesota Health Transplant Services.

Receptions

Welcome and Wine Tasting Reception

When: Monday, Sept. 28
Time: 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Location: Exhibit Hall

What’s worse than “Reception Wine"? We agree!  Join us for specially selected wines at our Welcome Reception. Of course we will have exhibits—and lots of them. You will have a chance to visit with academic medical centers from around the country, find out what’s new in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry and gather information from other organizations who want to assist you in your work. Everyone goes to the receptions—we have games and great prizes, amazing food—and we’ve already mentioned the non "reception wine" wine.  Please join us! 

Support for this reception is provided by University of Minnesota Health Transplant Services.

Networking Reception & Expo

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29
Time: 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Location: Exhibit Hall

What’s better than ONE reception? TWO receptions. Join us again after the first day of educational sessions for a much deserved break. There are always surprises in the Exhibit Hall—we want to make it a fun place to be! Join everyone else from the conference for another round of fabulous food, crafty cocktails, tons of information that is new and likely very helpful to your work, and of course, games and prizes! 

Support for this reception is provided by UW Health Transplant Program.

Health and Wellness Activity

8th Annual Wellness Walk

When: Wednesday, Sept. 30
Time: 7:15 a.m.—Check-in location: 4th Floor Registration Desk
7:30 a.m.—Wellness Walk Begins
Route Map

Join your fellow conferees for a 2- or 3.5-mile walk/run (approximately 30–45 minutes). Take in the colorful, vibrant and charming surroundings as you trek down the famed Nicollet Mall and along the historic Mississippi riverfront. Participants will receive a 2015 Wellness Walk t-shirt.

Support for the Wellness Walk is provided by Novo Nordisk.